Is the thought of a full kitchen demolition giving you a headache? There’s a smarter way to get the fresh, modern kitchen you want without the chaos and cost. It’s called cabinet refacing.
Homeowners across Toronto and the GTA are using this method to transform their kitchens. It involves replacing the cabinet “skins”—the doors and drawer fronts—while keeping the sturdy cabinet boxes. This guide will show you how to reface kitchen cabinets and completely update your space.
Giving Your Kitchen a Fresh Look Without a Full Remodel
Let’s be honest, a full kitchen demolition is a huge project. It means weeks of mess, dust, and a major expense.
Cabinet refacing is a brilliant alternative. It delivers a stunning transformation in days, not weeks. By keeping your existing cabinet frames, you save a lot of time, money, and materials.
This is the perfect solution for homeowners in Vaughan or Markham whose kitchen layout works well but the style is outdated. You get the look of a brand-new kitchen for 40-60% less than a full cabinet replacement.
To help you decide the best path for your kitchen, here’s a quick comparison of your upgrade options.
Kitchen Cabinet Upgrade Options At a Glance
| Method | Best For | Typical Cost | Project Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Painting/Refinishing | Cabinets in good shape where you like the style but want a new colour. | $ | 1-2 weeks |
| Refacing | Changing the style and colour without altering the kitchen layout. | $$ | 1-2 weeks |
| Full Replacement | When you need to change the kitchen layout or cabinets are structurally damaged. | $$$$ | 4-8+ weeks |
As you can see, both refinishing and refacing are great middle-ground options. They save significant time and money compared to a complete renovation.
What Is the Difference Between Refacing and Refinishing?
It’s important to understand the difference between these two services. Each one solves a different kitchen problem.
- Cabinet Refacing: This is when we replace the doors and drawer fronts completely. Then, we cover the visible cabinet boxes with a new veneer or laminate. This is the best choice if you want to change the style of your cabinets, like going from an old arched style to a clean, modern Shaker look.
- Cabinet Refinishing: This is all about changing the colour and finish of your existing doors and frames. If you like your cabinet style but want a new look, professional spray painting for kitchen cabinets provides a durable, factory-quality finish. As a top-rated Toronto painting company, we specialize in this service, using premium Renner Italian coatings for a perfect result.
The choice depends on your goal. Refacing changes the style entirely, while refinishing updates the style you already have with a fresh, durable colour.
As an award-winning team with hundreds of satisfied clients from Scarborough to Etobicoke, we help homeowners choose the best option for their space. All our cabinet work is backed by a solid 5-year warranty for your peace of mind.
Not sure which is right for you? Send us photos of your kitchen for a quick, no-obligation quote.
Assess if Your Cabinets Are Ready for Refacing
Before you start picking new styles and colours, let’s do a quick check. Are your current cabinets strong enough for refacing? A few minutes of inspection now can save you time, money, and headaches later.
Cabinet refacing works because it uses the “bones” of your kitchen. The idea is to keep your existing cabinet boxes and give them a new look with fresh doors and drawer fronts. This is great for your budget, but only if the boxes are in good condition.
What to Look for in Your Cabinet Boxes
Take a close look at your cabinets. Open the doors, check under the sink, and look at the corners where the boxes meet. You don’t need to be a contractor to spot major problems. This is the first thing we ask homeowners in Vaughan or Markham to do.
Here’s a simple checklist:
- Are They Sturdy? Give the cabinet boxes a firm push. Do they feel solid, or do they wobble? The frames must be strong enough to hold new doors for years to come.
- Is There Water Damage? This is a big one, especially under the sink. Look for dark stains, swollen wood, or peeling surfaces. Water damage weakens the cabinet structure and is a deal-breaker.
- Are They Warped? Check if the shelves and frames are straight. If they are very bowed or twisted, new doors won’t hang correctly.
- What’s the Interior Condition? How do the insides look? Crumbling, mouldy, or deteriorating interiors are a clear sign that you should replace the cabinets, not just reface them.
If your cabinet boxes are strong, free of major damage, and the layout works for you, you are a perfect candidate for refacing. Keeping the structure is what makes this a smart, cost-effective renovation.
Is the Layout Still Working for You?
This is also a great time to think about how your kitchen functions. Refacing does not change the layout. You must be happy with where everything is. Does the kitchen flow make sense for you? If you hate that the dishwasher is on the wrong side of the sink, refacing won’t fix that.
While you’re checking everything, think about organization. A beautiful new exterior is great motivation to sort out the inside. For example, now is a good time to learn how to organize kitchen drawers so your “new” kitchen is functional from day one.
If you went through this checklist and your cabinets passed, great! You’re ready for the fun part. If you found some issues and aren’t sure if they’re serious, don’t worry. We offer free in-person estimates across the GTA. We can often tell you what you’re dealing with from just a few photos.
On the other hand, if your boxes and doors are in good shape but just look dated, refacing might be more than you need. A professional paint job might be the answer. You can explore the differences in our guide on how to refinish kitchen cabinets.
Choosing the Right Materials and Styles
You’ve checked your cabinet boxes and they are in good shape. Now for the fun part: choosing the look of your new kitchen! The choices you make here will define the feel of your space for years to come.
Looks are important, but so is performance. At Royal Home Painters, we know that durability matters as much as design. That’s why we use premium products like Renner Italian coatings for our cabinet refinishing projects. A finish that lasts is essential. The same is true when refacing your cabinets.
Exploring Popular Refacing Materials
Your new cabinet doors and drawer fronts can be made from different materials. Each has its own pros and cons. Homeowners from Richmond Hill to Scarborough have different needs, from tight budgets to luxury finishes.
Here are the most common choices we see in the Toronto area:
- Wood Veneer: For the warm, authentic look of real wood. A thin layer of genuine wood (like oak or maple) is applied over a stable core. You get the classic look without the high price or risk of warping.
- High-Pressure Laminate (HPL): When durability is your top priority, HPL is a great choice. It is very tough against scratches, heat, and moisture, making it practical for busy kitchens. It comes in many colours and patterns, including realistic wood grains.
- Rigid Thermofoil (RTF): RTF is a vinyl film that is heat-fused to an MDF (medium-density fibreboard) core. This creates a smooth, seamless surface that is easy to clean. It’s a popular and affordable way to get a clean, painted look in colours like white or grey.
A smart investment in your kitchen’s appearance can really pay off. Minor kitchen updates like cabinet refacing often provide a high return on investment if you sell your home. Some reports show these upgrades can yield returns of over 90%, much higher than the 40-60% ROI from a full remodel.
Before you decide, it helps to see the options side-by-side.
Comparing Cabinet Refacing Materials
This table breaks down the materials to help you compare durability, cost, and style.
| Material Type | Average Cost | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood Veneer | Moderate | Authentic wood grain and feel; can be stained or painted. | Can be prone to scratches; susceptible to water damage if not sealed properly. |
| Laminate (HPL) | Low to Moderate | Extremely durable; huge variety of colours and patterns; easy to clean. | Can chip or peel at the edges over time; difficult to repair if damaged. |
| Thermofoil (RTF) | Low | Budget-friendly; seamless finish; easy maintenance; wide range of styles. | Can be susceptible to heat damage (e.g., from a toaster or self-cleaning oven). |
Seeing the pros and cons laid out like this makes it easier to choose what’s best for your home and budget.
Selecting a Cabinet Door Style
After choosing a material, your next big decision is the door style. This will have the biggest impact on your kitchen’s overall look.
- Shaker Style: This is the most popular style across the GTA. With its simple, clean frame and flat center panel, the Shaker door is a timeless classic. It looks great in both traditional and modern homes.
- Flat-Panel (Slab): For a sleek, minimalist look often seen in downtown Toronto condos. The simple, unadorned surface is easy to clean and creates a modern feel.
- Raised Panel: This style has a raised center panel that adds depth and detail. It’s a more traditional look that brings elegance to a kitchen.
The colour you choose is just as important as the style, especially in a small kitchen. For more tips, read our guide on choosing the best cabinet colour for a small kitchen.
Bringing Your Vision Together
To get a professional, finished look, your new cabinets need to match everything else in your kitchen. Don’t make your choices in isolation!
Always get physical samples of the materials and colours you are considering. Look at them in your kitchen at different times of the day to see how they look in your home’s light. Hold them up against your countertops, backsplash, and floors. Do they work together, or do they clash?
This simple step can prevent a costly mistake. If you feel overwhelmed, our award-winning team offers free consultations. We have the experience to guide you toward a look you’ll love for years, all backed by our 5-year cabinet warranty.
The Cabinet Refacing Process From Start to Finish
You’ve checked your cabinets and picked your new style. Now for the exciting part—how a professional refacing project actually happens. Knowing the process helps you understand what to expect.
The best part about refacing is how efficient it is. Unlike a full remodel that turns your home into a construction zone for weeks, professional refacing is a clean, organized process. It’s designed to get your kitchen back to normal with little disruption.
This infographic shows the key decisions you’ll make for your new cabinet look.
It’s a simple flow: start with the material, choose the door style, and then pick the hardware that pulls it all together.
Step 1: Careful Removal and Preparation
The first step is to carefully remove the old parts of your kitchen. This means taking off all the old cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and hardware like handles and hinges. We do this carefully to avoid damaging the cabinet boxes.
Once the boxes are bare, the most important part begins: preparation. The cabinet frames must be thoroughly cleaned to remove years of grease and grime. A perfectly clean surface is essential for the new material to stick properly.
After cleaning, the surfaces are lightly sanded. This creates a “tooth” for the new veneer or laminate to grip onto. This careful prep work is what makes a professional job last for years.
Step 2: Applying the New Surface
With the cabinet boxes prepped, it’s time to apply their new skin. This is where skill and experience really matter. Whether it’s wood veneer or laminate, the material is cut perfectly to fit every visible surface of your cabinet frames.
Professionals use special glues and tools to apply the new surface smoothly, pushing out all air bubbles. The seams must be perfectly aligned and nearly invisible. This step requires a steady hand, which is why hiring an experienced team from North York or Etobicoke is a smart move.
A flawless veneer application requires even, firm pressure. We use specific tools to create a permanent bond that looks and feels like a brand-new cabinet box from a factory.
Step 3: Installing New Doors and Hardware
Once the cabinet boxes have their fresh new look, the final transformation happens. Your new, custom-ordered doors and drawer fronts are installed with absolute precision.
Each door must be hung perfectly straight, with even gaps all around. Hinges are adjusted for a smooth, soft close. Drawer fronts are aligned so the lines flow perfectly across the cabinets. This detailed work creates the “wow” factor.
Finally, the new hardware—your chosen handles and pulls—is installed. Our fully insured and WSIB-covered team ensures every detail is perfect. We back our workmanship with a 5-year warranty on all cabinet projects.
Step 4: Final Inspection and Cleanup
No job is complete without a thorough cleanup and final walkthrough. Our team ensures your kitchen is left spotless, with all debris removed.
We then walk you through the finished project to make sure every detail meets your expectations. Your satisfaction is our top priority. This commitment to quality and customer service is why we have hundreds of satisfied clients across the GTA.
Step 5: Enjoying Your New Kitchen
One of the biggest benefits of refacing is how fast it is. A professional refacing for an average-sized kitchen can be finished in just 3 to 5 working days. Compare that to a full cabinet replacement, which can take 3 to 6 weeks or longer.
That quick turnaround is a huge advantage for busy families across the GTA.
If this sounds very detailed, that’s because a quality job requires it. For homeowners in Scarborough and beyond, our team at Royal Home Painters provides the skill needed for a flawless finish.
Thinking about a professional touch? Check out our services for kitchen cabinet refinishing near you. You can even send us a few photos of your kitchen for a quick quote.
Budgeting Your GTA Cabinet Refacing Project
Let’s talk about money. Before you dream too much about your new kitchen, it’s important to understand the costs. Here are some real-world expectations for a cabinet refacing project in the Greater Toronto Area.
The biggest benefit of refacing is the savings. It is consistently 40-60% cheaper than a full cabinet replacement. Why? We keep your existing cabinet boxes, which cuts a huge part of the material and labour costs. It’s a smart investment for homeowners across the GTA, from Markham to Mississauga.
Key Factors That Influence Cost
The final price of your project will depend on a few key things. Knowing these ahead of time helps you make choices you feel good about.
- Kitchen Size: This is the most obvious factor. A large kitchen in Richmond Hill with many doors will cost more than a small condo kitchen in North York.
- Material Choice: The new doors and veneers you choose play a big part. Laminates and thermofoil are budget-friendly options, while real wood veneers are more expensive.
- DIY vs. Professional: Doing it yourself can save on labour costs, but it requires time, skill, and special tools. When you hire a professional team like ours, you’re investing in a perfect, durable finish backed by a 5-year warranty.
Don’t forget to budget for new hardware! Handles and knobs are the finishing touches. While they are a small part of the cost, they are essential for a modern, updated look.
Knowing the financial side is key. It’s helpful to see how much to budget for a refurbishing project to understand the value of an expert installation.
What to Expect for a Project Timeline
Besides the cost, the short timeline is a huge benefit. A full kitchen remodel can leave your home’s most important room unusable for weeks.
A professional cabinet refacing project, however, is very quick. For a typical kitchen, we can finish the entire process in just 3 to 5 days. That fast turnaround means less stress and a quicker return to your normal life.
Getting a Clear Cost for Your Kitchen
Online calculators can give you a general idea, but every kitchen is different. The only way to get an accurate budget is with a detailed quote. Market data shows refacing remains a fraction of the cost of a full replacement, and our local GTA pricing reflects that great value.
For a clearer comparison, you can also read our guide on the average cost to paint kitchen cabinets.
At Royal Home Painters, we make getting a clear price easy. We offer free, no-obligation estimates where our experts visit your home to assess your space. For an even quicker start, send us a few photos of your kitchen—we can often provide a solid preliminary quote right away.
Why a Professional Can Make All the Difference
Doing a kitchen cabinet reface yourself might seem like a good way to save money. However, this is a project where precision is everything. A small mistake can become a big problem.
This job requires a level of skill and special tools that most homeowners don’t have.
Common DIY mistakes often appear months after the job is done. You might see veneers peeling at the corners, uneven seams, or cabinet doors that don’t hang straight. Getting that durable, factory-like finish is very difficult without years of experience.
The Value of Expert Workmanship
Hiring a top-rated, award-winning team is an investment in your home’s value and your peace of mind. At Royal Home Painters, we bring years of experience to every project, from a modern condo in North York to a family home in Markham.
Our careful workmanship guarantees a perfect, lasting result. Here’s what sets a professional job apart:
- Specialized Tools and Materials: We use high-quality materials and professional equipment that you can’t find at a hardware store. This helps achieve a tougher, longer-lasting finish.
- Meticulous Preparation: The secret to a durable reface is in the prep work. We know how to prepare different surfaces to create a permanent bond, preventing the bubbles and peeling common in DIY jobs.
- Perfect Alignment: Our team installs every door and drawer front with precision. This creates the clean, seamless lines that give your kitchen a high-end look.
For busy homeowners across the GTA, the time saved is a huge plus. But the real value is knowing the job is done right the first time, backed by our 5-year warranty on cabinet projects.
Choosing a professional team also means you’re protected. As a fully insured company with WSIB coverage, we handle all the risk. You just get to enjoy a beautiful kitchen without the stress.
If you’re still considering your options, let one of our experts provide a free, no-obligation estimate. We can show you the difference professional quality makes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cabinet Refacing
When you’re considering a big update like cabinet refacing, you probably have questions. That’s completely normal. Here are a few of the most common questions we hear from homeowners across Toronto, the GTA, and York Region.
How Long Does Cabinet Refacing Last?
When done correctly with high-quality materials, you can expect your refaced cabinets to last 10 to 15 years. The lifespan depends on the quality of the materials and the skill of the installation.
We take pride in our detailed workmanship, which is why we back every cabinet project with an industry-leading 5-year warranty. This gives our clients from Vaughan to Richmond Hill total peace of mind.
Can I Change My Kitchen Layout with Refacing?
Cabinet refacing gives your existing kitchen a major facelift. We work with your current cabinet structure, so the layout itself does not change.
However, we can often make small adjustments, like adding a new cabinet for a microwave or creating some open shelving. If you want to move the sink or knock down a wall, a full kitchen remodel with new cabinets is the better choice.
Is Cabinet Refacing Cheaper Than Painting?
Generally, a full reface is more expensive than our professional spray painting services. With refacing, you are buying brand-new doors and drawer fronts, which is a significant material cost.
Here’s how we help clients decide:
- Cabinet Painting (Refinishing): Best when you like your door style but want a new colour and a durable, factory-fresh finish. This is a common choice for our interior painting clients.
- Cabinet Refacing: The ideal solution when your door style is dated and you want a complete new look without a full tear-out.
We are experts in both cabinet painting and refacing. We can help you decide what makes the most sense for your home, budget, and renovation goals.
Ready to transform your kitchen? The award-winning team at Royal Home Painters Toronto is here to help. We are a top-rated Toronto painting company specializing in interior painting, exterior painting, and cabinet refinishing. We are fully insured, offer a lifetime warranty on interior work, and have hundreds of satisfied clients. Book your free estimate online today!
